ANTI- Records Looks Back at a Stellar 2008 and Hints at 2009 with Free New Sampler

ANTI- Records launched its new 08/09 music sampler today on-line via the ANTI- blog and in stores with dozens of participating independent retailers around the country. In a special promotion running through the holidays, local music retailers will be offering the newest releases from ten of ANTI's latest and greatest artists for under $10. With purchase, the buyer will receive a copy of the new ANTI- sampler, or it can be downloaded for free directly from the ANTI- blog.

It is both a look back at a spectacular 2008, which saw releases from artists such as Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Jolie Holland and Michael Franti & Spearhead called "career bests," and a look into the New Year, including the following:

- "Spacious Thoughts" - N.A.S.A (featuring Tom Waits and Kool Keith)

From masterminds Squeak E Clean (Sam Spiegel) and DJ Zegon (Ze Gonzales) comes the first track from the highly anticipated debut release The Spirit Of Apollo (out Feb 17 2009). The record - which pairs indie darlings such as Karen O, Santogold, the Cool Kids and M.I.A, with hip hop stars like Kanye West, Chuck D, KRS-One and Ghostface Killah - takes the "less is more" concept and turns it on its head, layering up to four famous voices over vintage Brazilian funk tracks and turntable wizardry.

- "Old Devils" - William Elliott Whimore

Iowa's own son of the soil William Elliott Whitmore premieres his first track off his ANTI- debut Animals in the Dark (out Feb 17 2009). With the old-soul voice of a master country blues balladeer and a devoted following in the punk, folk and indie rock worlds, Will captures the imagination with his raw, populist songs, seemingly untouched by pop culture.

- "Soul Of A Man" - Ramblin' Jack Elliott

He stole James Dean's girl, listened for two days while Jack Keroac read him On the Road and taught Dylan everything he knew, now Ramblin' Jack Elliott is trying something new: lending his plaintive drawl to Depression-era blues classics. Produced by Joe Henry (Elvis Costello, Solomon Burke, Bettye LaVette), the new album also features guest appearances from David Hidalgo (Los Lobos, Tom Waits) and Van Dyke Parks. Out April 7.

2009 will also see new releases from Neko Case, Bob Mould and the legendary Booker T Jones, of Booker T and the MGs fame.